Game-board.



C. TANRON.

GAME BOARD.

v APrLIoA'rIoN FILED Muze, 1909.

Patented Oct. 26, 1909.

(7 num; y 5* l l l l mw' Wmesse`g- 1720622227;

CHARLES TANRON, 0F SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

GAME-BOARD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 26, 1909.

Application led May 26, 199. Serial No. 498,481.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES TANRON, citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Game-Boards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to game boards, in which a ball similar to a billiard ball and a cue are used.

The object of the invention is to provide an amusement device of compact proportions employing the ordinary billiard balls and cues, in which an extended run of a ball may be had in a limited area, and in which device adjustable guide rails are employed which can be set so as to deflect the balls in various directions, and not only enhance the interest in the game, but add to the skill required in playing it.

rI`he invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Y Figure 1 is a plan of the table. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section. Fig. 3 shows a 1n.

In the embodiment of my invention I employ a board orV table, as A, which in actual practice is approximately six feet long and three feet wide; but on this table I am able to provide a runway for a ball, of approximately four times the length of the table,`

as will be understood hereinafter. Preferably this table is mounted on a suitablev frame 2 so that it can be set at an incline, with means for adjusting the lengthwise inclination of the table. Preferably the table is hinged at its lower end 3, where the player stands, and the upper end s slidably supported on a pair of wedges 4 which slide on inclines 5 on the sides of the frame 2. The wedges 4 are suitably connected with slotted links 6 which fulcrum at 7 on the inside of the sides of the frame 2; these arms 6 being connected across by a bar 8. A rod 9 has a swivel connection with the bar 8 and is provided with a screw portion 10 at its end adjacent to the hinge 3, ,which screw works in a stationary nut 11. By turning the screw shaft 9 by a handle 12, the wedges 4 are worked up and down the incline 5 to vary the inclination of the table A.

The lower right hand side of the table has a lengthwise extending runway 13, at

the lower end of which a ball, as 14, is placed, when prepared to shoot. On being struck by the cue, or otherwise impelled, the ball passes through the runway 13 toward the opposite end of the table, where it encounters a fixed semi-circular rail 15 which changes the direction of the ball, so that it returns along the opposite parallel side rail 16 of the table down against another fixed segmental rail 17 which is about ninety degrees in length. The ball on leaving the rail 17 bridges a gap 1S and encounters the adjustable rail 19 which is pivoted at 20 adjacent to gap 18, while the other end extends up along the inner wall 21 of the runway 13. The curvature of this pivoted adjustable rail 19 is such that when a ball is impelled with suitable force to travel around Vthe rails 15-16-17, it will, on striking the rail 19, be deflected off diagonally across the table A. The adjustment of the rail 19 soas to vary the path of the ball across the table is effected by suitable means, as the wedge 22 having a knob 23; shoving the wedge 22 more or less into the space between the rails 19-21 serves to change the inclination in the manner desired. At the opposite end of the table and suitably positioned with re. spect to the deflecting rail 19 are a series of lateral rails 24, and short curved end rails 25, these end rails 25 being suitably spaced from the outside fixed rail 15 so that a ball will have plenty of space to run around in between them, and the adjacent ends of the rails 25 are suitably spaced to provide a gap 26 sufficiently large to pass a ball. The object of this will shortly be described. The space inclosed by the rails 24-25 serves for the setting up of a special set of tenpins 27, and these rails 24-25 are so positioned with respect toone another and to the deflector 19 as to provide suitable carom surfaces. If desired, the rails 24 are removable by suitable means, as the screws 28, so as to permit straight or curved rails tov be substituted or interchanged, one for the other.

In playing this game, I prefer to use pins of the type shown in Fig. 3, in which the pin has a large body substantially in the form of an apple, and a short neck, and is so constructed that the pins will stand up on an inclined table; but when they fall over they will roll on their sides down to the lower end of the table and out of the way of the balls. These pins adapt the game for use on shipboard. In practice, the pins are set up in triangular form, as shown in the drawings, with the base of the triangle approximately parallel with the upper' end' of the table. A ball 14 is then placed in the runway, and when shot will run around' the table, and on striking the guard rail 19 will be deect'ed oil' at an angle', and will either carom on one or more of the cushions 24--25 and then strike the pins, or by shifting the position of the adjustable rail 19 by means of the wedge 22, the ball may be directed at any one or more of the pins. The interest in shooting is enhanced by the carom action of the ball on the rails 24k-25, and considerable skill is required in manipulating the rail 19 so as to make the shot most desired. Under some circumstances the operator may make an easy shot, so that the ball will run Y only part way around the upper guide 15 and then drop down through the opening 26 and strike some of the pins.

If desired, a set of pigeon-holes 29 may be employed, into which the ball, after being shot, may drop; and this may form an additional feature of interest in the game.-

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat-V ent is-s Y 1. A game board comprising curved end rails and side rails arranged so that aball may travel completely around the table, with one of said rails having an adjustable section.

2. A game board comprising curved end rails and side rails arranged so that a ball may travel completely around the table, with one of said rails having a hinged curved section.

3. A game board comprising curved end rails and side rails arranged so that a ball may travel completely around the table, with one of said rails having. a hinged curved section, and said table having a set of separated inclined rails opposed to andcoacting with said hinged sect-ion.

' curved end rail running into the side rails,

the opposite end rail being. made in sections in 'continuation of one of the side rails, oneV of saidsections hinged, and movable crosswisel of the table, and means for varying the' inclination of the adjustable section, and a runway for the balls parallel with one of the sides and adjacent tothe hinged section.

7 In a game board, the combination of a table having fixed side rails, and one xed curved end rail Arunning into the side rails, the opposite end rail being` made in sections in continuationA of one of the side rails, one ot' said sections hinged-and movable crosswise of the table,y means for varying the inclination of the adjustable section, a runway for the balls parallel with one of the sides and adjacent to the hinged section, spaced inclined rails adjacent to and spaced from said liXed end rail, short lateral rails coacting with said short spaced rails, and pins .in the space inclosed between said spaced inclined rails and said lateral rails, said space opening toward said adjustable section. Y t

Intestimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnes'ses.

CHARLES TANRON. Witnesses:

CHARLES L. P. MARAIS, GEO. L. BURNs. 

